Search age:

Search in:

Buddy's poor record makes the maths look bad for Hawks

Jesse Hogan

Lance Franklin celebrates with fans after the win over Gold Coast. The Hawthorn star is set to face the tribunal over an alleged striking incident. Photo: Getty Images

THE match review panel is today set to have its busiest day so far this season after a sporadically spiteful round 13.

While Lance Franklin's match-day report for striking Gold Coast's Maverick Weller is arguably the most consequential incident, because of Franklin's importance to the Hawks, attention will be paid to a number of clashes in the North Melbourne-Essendon match. At least six incidents from the match could be formally assessed.

Franklin's recent poor record — he has been suspended three times in just over a season and a half — will almost certainly prevent him escaping with a reprimand. The four matches he has been suspended for over that period will add a 40 per cent loading to any penalty given by the panel.

Franklin's best chance of escaping punishment would seemingly be if the panel determined he did not make contact with his elbow to Weller's head. Footage of the incident is inconclusive, because Weller began to turn his head fractionally before the Hawks spearhead arrived at the contest with a protruding elbow.

Advertisement

If the panel determines contact was made the most likely classification would be reckless conduct with high contact and low impact. The resulting 125-point penalty would be inflated to 175 because of his poor record, but could be reduced to 131.25 — one week with 31.25 carryover points — with a guilty plea.

Franklin's recent record is in stark contrast to the start of his career, during which he went for nearly five seasons without suspension. His teammate Sam Mitchell said the difference in height between Franklin and Weller — 14 centimetres — meant that Franklin could have "ended up clotheslining" the Suns player if he had instead attempted to tackle him. "You just have to go to the line and hope there wasn't enough force in it to warrant a report. If there is, then it's high [contact] and all that sort of stuff," Mitchell told Triple M.

Essendon duo Angus Monfries and Michael Hurley may be saddled with carryover points as a result of minor incidents — rough conduct and striking respectively — against the Kangaroos.

While vital North ruckman Todd Goldstein should have a match-day striking report thrown out, defender Michael Firrito is likely to be cited for a behind-play jab to the stomach of Monfries. Carryover points and a 10 per cent loading could leave the defender facing a two-match ban, or one if he admits guilt.

Melbourne forward Ricky Petterd's elbow to the face of Fremantle tagger Ryan Crowley yesterday at the MCG may attract a one-match ban that could be downgraded to a reprimand.

One of the strangest suspensions for the week could be meted out to Brisbane's Jack Redden for a behind-play strike against Richmond's Shane Edwards on Saturday night at the Gabba. While the incident could normally be downgraded to a reprimand Redden's 93.75 carryover points, for tripping the Suns' Gary Ablett in round seven, would prevent that occurring.

The incident is unusual because it was spotted by umpire Stephen McBurney — who paid a 50-metre penalty against Edwards — while he lay on the ground— for a deliberate block on Redden.

10 comments so far

MEMO to Mathew Lloyed. You are remembered as a sniper as a player and now your using the media to snipe. Your comments on a footy show about Mitch Robinson after he bloodied up a Brisbane player was he is pushing the boundries. Soon as Frankin was reported you pull out your scope again and start sniping. BTW. Do Hwathorn play Essendon this week. OMG. What a surprise. Will you be there giving evidence as well, OH what was I thinking, you already have. Once a sniper always a sniper. PS. Can Mathew Lloyed please be sent to commentate this game so he can further demolish any credibility he DOESN'T have. Go Hawks, wounded, (suspended TBA) and still fighting.

Commenter

Sniping again!!!!

Location

Rowville

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 9:11AM

I was trying to vote for player of the round however my pick wasn't up there. I was looking for a certain 2nd year player who had 22 touches and 5 goals, 4 of which were kicked late in the game when the match was in the balance

Commenter

Micky the V

Location

Punt rd

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 9:53AM

Hey @sniping again .... you are upset with Matty Lloyd because he cleaned up Brad Sewell in a front on challenge that knocked Sewell out of the game and the Hawks out of the finals. Fair enough. But if you think that your little rant upsets us Bomber fans then think again - you just reminded us of one of our greatest days in what's been a pretty bleak few years. I've heard Matty interviewed about the incident and it's not hard to read between the lines - he's proud that he got us into the 2009 finals (even though we got poleaxed by the Crows in the Elimination final). And that's the way we all feel at Bomberland so stop your sooking. Oh, and Dermott B agrees, but then again he's a throwback to a time when the Hawks were proud, tough and didn't whine.

Commenter

Laki

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 10:07AM

well , important match in 2 weeks against Pies , perhaps the MRP could give Buddy the same treatment they gave Barry Hall a few years ago - letting him off so he could play in the Granny . Yeh , not likely. Umps and MRP give Buddy a hard time - admittedly he doesn't help himself by playing for frees rather than attacking the pill . Wish he'd go back to playing like he can abd the umps and Trib. get off his back.

Commenter

daniel

Location

bellingen nsw

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 10:42AM

Mathew Lloyd was a sniper and is still a sniper.

Commenter

Barraman

Location

Hawthorn

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 11:21AM

Matthew Lloyd is THE WORST commentator on any channel or involved on any footy show. He's robotic and biased. Can't believe that's he's got a gig on TV when there are so many out there that would do a better job. I have started to turn on the radio coverage when he's on the TV which is something I've never done with cricket or footy. I think it's only Bomber fans who have any time for him. Guys like Tom Harley and Richo are more entertaining, more articulate (yes, even Richo) and better value than him. Totally over rated as a footballer and even more so as a commentator..

Commenter

Maitland Mauler

Location

Hunter Valley

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 11:21AM

@sniping again

1. learn to spell. Lloyd has no E's brainiac.

2. That was a long time ago. Get over it.

Saying Lloyd cant comment on rough play is like saying dermie cant either. It's the opposite, they are experts in being reported, so they should know what they are on about!

Commenter

matty

Location

melb

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 12:32PM

LakiIf a highlight over the last few years is velvet taking out a guy with his eyes on the ball then that speaks volumes for the type of person you are.

Commenter

Ross

Location

SYarra

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 12:46PM

Buddy's not a dirty player, just a bit awkward sometimes. He was stiff in the Cousens case but this one's probably worth a week. Don't worry, @sniping again, Dons can't beat time with a stick right now so Hawks should be right, and I'm a Dons suporter. Lloydy's probably still got a gripe with the Hawks and also gets paid plenty for his comments, so they need to be noteworthy.

Commenter

DJ Luke

Location

Sydney

Date and time

June 20, 2011, 12:52PM

Bombers fans are far worse and short-sighted than any other fans in the AFL - Pies fans included. You guys are completely delusional. Good to see the blonde-haired fairy (that new coach - what's his name again?) doing so well at getting your boys back on track. Ha ha. Suck it up.